Document snowy plover behavior and breeding success to understand population demography during the challenging times of global change;

Conserve one of the largest snowy plover breeding populations near the Pacific Ocean;

Train future generations of field biologists and conservationists in Northwest Mexico

Educate and involve local people in conservation.

In January of 2013, Jennifer Evans, Curator of Exhibit Collections, traveled to Mexico through the Staff Field Conservation Grant awarded by Tracy Aviary’s Conservation Program. Her main objective was to have first-hand experience in field conservation by supporting field work conducted by Mexican biologists. Jennifer was able to spend time in the lab at the University of Mazatlan and spent time in the field at Ceuta Bay, spotting, capturing, and banding snowy plovers and other shorebirds. Field work is fascinating, however, it takes passion and patience and working with partners is crucial to making the broadest impact. For Jennifer this was an invaluable experience that provided an introduction to field work and the opportunity to share a unique experience with a group of Mexican biologists to unite cross-border efforts for the conservation of shared birds that breed in the United States and winter in Mexico. Jennifer’s experience ignited a passion for the conservation of birds and their habitats and increased both her understanding and knowledge of the importance of field work in conservation.